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FIFA World Cup Group J: Preview, Teams, Schedule, Top Players And Prediction

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FIFA World Cup 11 Jun 26 to 19 Jul 26

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FIFA World Cup Group J: Preview, Teams, Schedule, Top Players And Prediction

Lionel Messi and Argentina hope to become the first repeat World Cup champions in six decades. Their opponents in Group J have plans of their own

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Lionel Messi in action for Argentina© AFP

The biggest player in the world will be in action in this group. Lionel Messi and Argentina hope to become the first repeat World Cup champions in six decades. Their opponents in Group J have plans of their own. Algeria and Austria are back after long absences, and Jordan is making its World Cup debut at the expanded 48-nation tournament.

A second World Cup title might elevate Messi in debates over whether he, Pelé or Diego Maradona is the greatest player in soccer history. As of mid-April, Messi had not made a final commitment to playing. La Albiceleste won the 2022 final on penalty kicks over France. No men's team has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958, led by Pelé, and in 1962, when Pelé missed most of the tournament because of an injury.

Prediction

Argentina and Austria will be the favourites to progress from this group.

Predicted standings

Argentina

Austria

Algeria

Jordan

Argentina

Three-time champion Argentina, ranked No. 3 in the world, opens against No. 28 Algeria on June 16, then plays Austria and Jordan in a group that likely should provide an easy glide to the knockout stages.

La Albiceleste clinched its World Cup berth 15 months ahead of the tournament with a victory over Brazil, as Messi missed the match because of an adductor injury.

Nine of the starters were the same as in the World Cup final, with midfielders Thiago Almada and Leandro Paredes in place of Messi and Angel Di Maria, who retired from the national team in 2024 after helping win its second straight Copa America.

Among those starters, by the World Cup the group will include Nicolas Otamendi at 38, Nicolas Tagliafico at 33, and Rodrigo De Paul at 32.

Messi, who turns 39 two days after Argentina's second game, could, along with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, become the first men to play in six World Cups.

Messi already holds the record for most matches (26) and is tied for third in goals with Just Fontaine at 13, trailing only Miroslav Klose (16), Brazil's Ronaldo (15), and Gerd Muller (14). Messi's 116 international goals heading into June are second to Cristiano Ronaldo's 143, and he led South American qualifying with eight goals.

Lionel Scaloni, who became Argentina's coach in 2018, hopes to become the second coach to win two World Cups after Vittorio Pozzo with Italy in 1934 and 1938.

Algeria

A two-time African champion with titles in 1990 and 2019, Algeria is making its first World Cup appearance since 2014, when it reached the second round and was knocked out by Germany in extra time.

Algeria had eight wins, one loss, and one draw in qualifying. Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez is captain at age 35 and, with 38 international goals, is second on his nation's career scoring list behind Islam Slimani with 45.

Other top players include left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and defender Ramy Bensebaini.

Coach Vladimir Petkovic led Switzerland's national team from 2014 to 2021.

Austria

In the World Cup for the eighth time and first since 1998, Austria is seeking to advance past the first round for the first time since 1982.

Marko Arnautovic turns 37 in April and is likely to be the oldest player on the roster. He is Austria's career leader in goals (47) and appearances (132). Captain David Alaba, a defender who turns 34 during the tournament, is a veteran of more than 120 Champions League matches and four European club titles.

Other key players include midfielders Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer.

Coach Ralf Rangnick took over in 2022 after spells with Manchester United, Hoffenheim, Schalke, Stuttgart, and Leipzig.

Jordan

Reaching the World Cup for the first time, Jordan has never achieved much international soccer success. Its best showings in the Asian Cup were runner-up in the 2023 edition and the quarterfinals in 2004 and 2011.

Musa Al-Taamari, who has 24 international goals, plays for Rennes in France and is among the few Jordanians at European clubs. Ibrahim Sabra, another attacker, is with Lokomotiva Zagreb in Croatia.

A former midfielder for Morocco, Jamal Sellami took over as Jordan's coach in 2024.

Top players

Lionel Messi (Argentina), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer (Austria), Musa Al-Taamari (Jordan)

FIFA World Cup Group J Schedule

Jun 17

Argentina v Algeria

Austria v Jordan

Jun 22

Argentina v Austria

Jun 23

Jordan v Algeria

Jun 28

Algeria v Austria

Jordan v Argentina

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Topics mentioned in this article

Argentina Argentina Austria Austria Algeria Algeria Jordan Jordan 2026 FIFA World Cup Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini Lionel Messi Football

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Players - Top Goals

Player Matches Goals Mbappé Mbappé France 8 10 Messi Messi Argentina 8 8 Haaland Haaland Norway 5 7 Bellingham Bellingham England 8 7 Kane Kane England 7 6

Player Matches Assists Michael Olise Michael Olise France 8 7 Messi Messi Argentina 8 4 Odegaard Odegaard Norway 5 4 Mbappé Mbappé France 8 4 Brahim Brahim Morocco 6 4

No Teams MP Goals GA 1 England England 8 20 12 2 France France 8 20 10 3 Argentina Argentina 8 19 8 4 Spain Spain 8 14 1 5 Belgium Belgium 6 14 7

No Teams MP Goals Assists 1 France France 8 20 18 2 England England 8 20 14 3 Argentina Argentina 8 19 12 4 Spain Spain 8 14 10 5 Norway Norway 6 13 10

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